NELL-1 Increased the Osteogenic Differentiation and mRNA Expression of Spheroids Composed of Stem Cells.

Background and objectives: NELL-1 is a competent growth factor and it reported to target cells committed to the osteochondral lineage. The secreted, osteoinductive glycoproteins are reported to rheostatically control skeletal ossification. This study was performed to determine the effects of NELL-1 on spheroid morphology and cell viability and the promotion of osteogenic differentiation of stem cell spheroids. Materials and Methods: Cultures of stem cell spheroids of gingiva-derived stem cells were grown in the presence of NELL-1 at concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 500 ng/mL. Evaluations of cell morphology were performed using a microscope, and cell viability was assessed using a two-color assay and Cell Counting Kit-8. Evaluation of the activity of alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition assays involved anthraquinone dye assay to determine the level of osteogenic differentiation of cell spheroids treated with NELL-1. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to evaluate the expressions of RUNX2, BSP, OCN, COL1A1, and ß-actin mRNAs. Results: The applied stem cells produced well-formed spheroids, and the addition of NELL-1 at tested concentrations did not show any apparent changes in spheroid shape. There were no significant changes in diameter with addition of NELL-1 at 0, 1, 10, 100, and 500 ng/mL concentrations. The quantitative cell viability results derived on Days 1, 3, and 7 did not show significant disparities among groups (p > 0.05). There was statistically higher alkaline phosphatase activity in the 10 ng/mL group compared with the unloaded control on Day 7 (p < 0.05). A significant increase in anthraquinone dye staining was observed with the addition of NELL-1, and the highest value was noted at 10 ng/mL (p < 0.05). qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2 and BSP were significantly increased when NELL-1 was added to the culture. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we conclude that NELL-1 can be applied for increased osteogenic differentiation of stem cell spheroids.

Humidity-Responsive RGB-Pixels via Swelling of 3D Nanoimprinted Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Humidity-responsive structural coloration is actively investigated to realize real-time humidity sensors for applications in smart farming, food storage, and healthcare management. Here, humidity-tunable nano pixels are investigated with a 700 nm resolution that demonstrates full standard RGB (sRGB) gamut coverage with a millisecond-response time. The color pixels are designed as Fabry-Pérot (F-P) etalons which consist of an aluminum mirror substrate, humidity-responsive polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) spacer, and a top layer of disordered silver nanoparticles (NPs). The measured volume change of the PVA reaches up to 62.5% when the relative humidity (RH) is manipulated from 20 to 90%. The disordered silver NP layer permits the penetration of water molecules into the PVA layer, enhancing the speed of absorption and swelling down to the millisecond level. Based on the real-time response of the hydrogel-based F-P etalons with a high-throughput 3D nanoimprint technique, a high-resolution multicolored color print that can have potential applications in display technologies and optical encryption, is demonstrated.

Dual-infinite coordination polymer-engineered nanomedicines for dual-ion interference-mediated oxidative stress-dependent tumor suppression.

Recently, nanomedicine design has shifted from simple nanocarriers to nanodrugs with intrinsic antineoplastic activities for therapeutic performance optimization. In this regard, degradable nanomedicines containing functional inorganic ions have blazed a highly efficient and relatively safe ion interference paradigm for cancer theranostics. Herein, given the potential superiorities of infinite coordination polymers (ICPs) in degradation peculiarity and functional integration, a state-of-the-art dual-ICP-engineered nanomedicine is elaborately fabricated via integrating ferrocene (Fc) ICPs and calcium-tannic acid (Ca-TA) ICPs. Thereinto, Fc ICPs, and Ca-TA ICPs respectively serve as suppliers of ferrous iron ions (Fe2+) and calcium ions (Ca2+). After the acid-responsive degradation of ICPs, released TA from Ca-TA ICPs facilitated the conversion of released ferric iron (Fe3+) from Fc ICPs into highly active Fe2+. Owing to the dual-path oxidative stress and neighboring effect mediated by Fe2+ and Ca2+, such a dual-ICP-engineered nanomedicine effectively induces dual-ion interference against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, this work provides a novel antineoplastic attempt to establish ICP-engineered nanomedicines and implement ion interference-mediated synergistic therapy.

The Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 on the Differentiation of Cell Organoids Composed of Gingiva-Derived Stem Cells.

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of transforming growth factor-ß on the differentiation and mRNA expression of organoids made out of human mesenchymal stem cells. Cell organoids composed of gingiva-derived stem cells were cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor-ß1 at concentrations ranging from 0, 1, 10, to 20 ng/ml. Evaluations of the cell morphology of the organoids were performed on days 7, 9, 11, and 14. Quantitative cellular viability was completed on day 14. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed to evaluate the differentiation of stem cells on day 14. Real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to determine the expression levels of TGF-ß1, RUNX2, OCN, SOX9, and COL1A1 mRNA on day 14. The stem cells produced well-formed organoids on day 7, and the addition of transforming growth factor-ß1 did not result in relevant changes in their shape. The organoids grew in size and became more intact with longer incubation times. On day 14, the diameters were 222.2 ± 9.6, 186.1 ± 4.8, 197.2 ± 9.6, and 211.1 ± 19.2 m for transforming growth factor-ß1 at final concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 20 ng/ml, respectively. Quantitative cell viability results from day 14 exhibited no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There was significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity with the addition of transforming growth factor-ß1 with the highest value for the 1 ng/ml group (P < 0.05). Real-time polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, and SOX were higher in 1 ng/ml but did not reach statistical significance. Treatment with 1 ng/ml of transforming growth factor-ß1 significantly increased COL1A1 mRNA expression at day 14. The application of transforming growth factor-ß1 increased differentiation, which was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase activity and mRNA expression while maintaining cell viability.

Effects of noni on cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation of gingiva-derived stem cells demonstrated by RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR.

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia) has been widely used in traditional medicine across tropical and subtropical regions, and is now being paid more attention in Western medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of noni extract on the change in the cellular morphology, maintenance of cellular viability and enhancement of osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. Stem cells obtained from gingiva were cultured where noni extracts existed at concentrations ranging from 10-200 ng/ml. Evaluations of cell morphology and cellular viability were performed. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed to assess the osteogenic differentiation. Alizarin Red S staining was performed to evaluate the calcium deposits in the culture, with the addition of noni extract. Global gene expression was analyzed via next-generation mRNA sequencing. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed to determine the associated mechanisms. Validation procedures were performed via quantitative (q)PCR analysis. The addition of noni at concentrations ranging from 10-200 ng/ml did not produce significant morphological changes. There were significantly higher values of cellular viability, with the highest value at 100 ng/ml compared with the control (P<0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher values of alkaline phosphatase activity was noted in the 10 and 100 ng/ml groups compared with the 0 ng/ml group on day 7 (P<0.05). Alizarin Red S staining revealed calcium deposits in each group. In addition, the highest value for Alizarin Red S staining was observed at 100 ng/ml compared with the unloaded control (P<0.05). qPCR analysis demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, BSP, OCN and COL1A1 increased following treatment with noni. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that noni extract has enhancing effects on gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells, by enhancing cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation.

Stretchable colour-sensitive quantum dot nanocomposites for shape-tunable multiplexed phototransistor arrays.

High-performance photodetecting materials with intrinsic stretchability and colour sensitivity are key requirements for the development of shape-tunable phototransistor arrays. Another challenge is the proper compensation of optical aberrations and noises generated by mechanical deformation and fatigue accumulation in a shape-tunable phototransistor array. Here we report rational material design and device fabrication strategies for an intrinsically stretchable, multispectral and multiplexed 5 × 5 × 3 phototransistor array. Specifically, a unique spatial distribution of size-tuned quantum dots, blended in a semiconducting polymer within an elastomeric matrix, was formed owing to surface energy mismatch, leading to highly efficient charge transfer. Such intrinsically stretchable quantum-dot-based semiconducting nanocomposites enable the shape-tunable and colour-sensitive capabilities of the phototransistor array. We use a deep neural network algorithm for compensating optical aberrations and noises, which aids the precise detection of specific colour patterns (for example, red, green and blue patterns) both under its flat state and hemispherically curved state (radius of curvature of 18.4 mm).

Soft network composite materials with deterministic and bio-inspired designs.

Hard and soft structural composites found in biology provide inspiration for the design of advanced synthetic materials. Many examples of bio-inspired hard materials can be found in the literature; far less attention has been devoted to soft systems. Here we introduce deterministic routes to low-modulus thin film materials with stress/strain responses that can be tailored precisely to match the non-linear properties of biological tissues, with application opportunities that range from soft biomedical devices to constructs for tissue engineering. The approach combines a low-modulus matrix with an open, stretchable network as a structural reinforcement that can yield classes of composites with a wide range of desired mechanical responses, including anisotropic, spatially heterogeneous, hierarchical and self-similar designs. Demonstrative application examples in thin, skin-mounted electrophysiological sensors with mechanics precisely matched to the human epidermis and in soft, hydrogel-based vehicles for triggered drug release suggest their broad potential uses in biomedical devices.

Multifunctional skin-like electronics for quantitative, clinical monitoring of cutaneous wound healing.

Non-invasive, biomedical devices have the potential to provide important, quantitative data for the assessment of skin diseases and wound healing. Traditional methods either rely on qualitative visual and tactile judgments of a professional and/or data obtained using instrumentation with forms that do not readily allow intimate integration with sensitive skin near a wound site. Here, an electronic sensor platform that can softly and reversibly laminate perilesionally at wounds to provide highly accurate, quantitative data of relevance to the management of surgical wound healing is reported. Clinical studies on patients using thermal sensors and actuators in fractal layouts provide precise time-dependent mapping of temperature and thermal conductivity of the skin near the wounds. Analytical and simulation results establish the fundamentals of the sensing modalities, the mechanics of the system, and strategies for optimized design. The use of this type of "epidermal" electronics system in a realistic clinical setting with human subjects establishes a set of practical procedures in disinfection, reuse, and protocols for quantitative measurement. The results have the potential to address important unmet needs in chronic wound management.

Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring.

Research in stretchable electronics involves fundamental scientific topics relevant to applications with importance in human healthcare. Despite significant progress in active components, routes to mechanically robust construction are lacking. Here, we introduce materials and composite designs for thin, breathable, soft electronics that can adhere strongly to the skin, with the ability to be applied and removed hundreds of times without damaging the devices or the skin, even in regions with substantial topography and coverage of hair. The approach combines thin, ultralow modulus, cellular silicone materials with elastic, strain-limiting fabrics, to yield a compliant but rugged platform for stretchable electronics. Theoretical and experimental studies highlight the mechanics of adhesion and elastic deformation. Demonstrations include cutaneous optical, electrical and radio frequency sensors for measuring hydration state, electrophysiological activity, pulse and cerebral oximetry. Multipoint monitoring of a subject in an advanced driving simulator provides a practical example.